On Friday morning, the First Region postseason draw, and awards were announced at Graves County High School, including the Region 1 Player and Coach of the Year. McCracken County senior Miller Green was honored for his performance this season, while Graves County’s head coach Josh Byrd received Coach of the Year.
“It’s an honor to be Region 1 Player of the Year. My faith has gotten me through a lot along with my parents, family, coaches, and team,” Green said. “At the end of the day, it’s achieving my goals and being content with where I’m at. I will always be thankful for this and continue to work hard and be myself.”
Green, who has varsity minutes dating back to his freshman season with the 2021 KHSAA State Runner-Up McCracken County Mustangs, has climbed to the top of the region in the last four high school baseball seasons. With high-caliber moments, he has always remained stoic and gave his all to the crimson uniform. He will suit up with Western Kentucky next season at the collegiate level.
Despite an injury that sidelined the senior for approximately two weeks this season, he has appeared in 28 games for McCracken County, with the First Region tournament kicking off on Monday. Green has only four strikeouts in 89 at-bats with a team-high 42 hits and a .472 batting average. Additionally, he has nine doubles, three triples, three home runs, 23 runs, 29 RBI, and seven walks. He is 10-for-11 in stolen bases. Green’s home runs came against Marshall County, Hanahan (SC), and Ballard Memorial.
On the mound, Green has worked nine games with five starts for the Mustangs. The righthanded crafty hurler has 25 innings tossed, allowing nine hits with six runs and three earned. With a 1-1-1 win-loss-save record, Green has 36 strikeouts and an impressive 0.84 ERA.
“All credit goes to my assistant coaches, players, and parents who put so much time and effort into our program. I have great assistants who love our guys and this program,” Byrd said. “The players have bought into new concepts and worked their butts off in the classroom, weight room, and on the field. My parents have put countless hours into field prep and fundraising. It is, without a doubt, a group effort, and Graves County is a special place. It’s always a GDTBAE (Great Day To Be An Eagle).”
In his second year as head coach of the Eagles, Byrd has led his team to a 26-10 record this season, the Third District title, and notable wins against programs such as Sayre and Henry Clay.
Additionally, Byrd’s Assistant Head Coach, Justin Hayden, received Assistant Coach of the Year for his efforts under Byrd’s helm. Hayden, who previously played and coached at Graves County, returned last season with Byrd.
FIRST DISTRICT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Koltyn Perez, Carlisle County
SECOND DISTRICT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Miller Green, McCracken County
THIRD DISTRICT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Drake DeFreitas, Graves County
FOURTH DISTRICT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Carson Tucker, Murray High